Clark, Robert Carlton, Ph.D. "History of the Willamette Valley Oregon."  Vol. 3.
Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1927. p. 282.
 
A. E. THOMAS

     A representative of one of Marion county's oldest families, A. E. Thomas
remembers the days when the Indians roamed through the dense forests of Oregon
and has experienced every phase of pioneer life in this region. Through his
activities as an agriculturist he aided in bringing to light the natural
resources of the Willamette Valley and is now reaping the harvest of his labors.
He is one of the venerable citizens of Scotts Mills and was born January 21,
1848, about two and one-half miles west of the town. His parents, L. L. and
Eliza (Spores) Thomas, were natives of New York state and in 1847 made the long
and hazardous trip to the Pacific northwest in a "prairie schooner" drawn by
oxen. They decided to locate on the old emigrant trail near Scotts Mills and the
father secured a donation land claim by giving to the homesteader a yoke of oxen
in exchange for his rights to the tract. As the years passed L. L. Thomas
cleared the place, bringing the wild land under the plow, and devoted his
energies to the growing of grain and the raising of cattle. He was an
industrious man and a good citizen. His first wife, a Miss Dimmock, bore him two
children, Alvin and Lorenzo, both deceased. His second wife, Eliza Spores, had
wedded a Mr. Dimmock and their daughter Adeline is deceased. To the second union
were born thirteen children: Daniel C. and Louis C., who were natives of the
east and have passed away; A. E.: Myron, Alvin and Almira, triplets, born on the
Marion county homestead and all now deceased: Henry, of Scotts Mills; George W.,
who lives on his father's donation land claim; R. D., of Polk county, Oregon;
Annie, who died in infancy; C. P., who resides near Markham, Oregon; Mrs. Emma
Bagby, of Oregon City; and I. D., whose home is in Portland, Oregon.
     A. E. Thomas was reared on his father's farm and attended school three
months during the winter season, walking a distance of three miles. He aided in
developing the homestead until he reached the age of sixteen years, when he
enlisted in Company C of the First Oregon Volunteer Infantry, and was detailed
for special guard duty on Puget sound. He was stationed at Fort Steilacoom,
Washington, and was in the service of his country from December 4, 1864, until
October 31, 1865. After his honorable discharge he returned to his home and
began driving cattle over the mountains.

     While engaged in that work Mr., Thomas met Miss Lyda Wade, to whom he was
married October 3, 1867, after which they moved to French prairie, where he
cultivated leased land for a year. He spent about two years in the neighborhood
of Markham and on the expiration of that period located on a farm near Hubbard
Station. He next went to the Goose Lake country of California and engaged in
ranching and stock raising. On his return to Oregon, Mr. Thomas settled in the
hills near Scotts Mills, expecting that a railroad would be built through that
section, but the route was changed, and he afterward moved to his present place
nearby. An expert agriculturist, he made. his efforts count for the utmost and
brought his land to a high state of development, utilizing the most advanced
methods in the cultivation of the soil. He erected substantial buildings and
constantly improved his property, thus increasing its value. For sixteen years
he engaged in farming and teaming in this locality, gaining a substantial
competence which enables him to spend the evening of life in ease and
tranquility.

     Mrs. Thomas was born in Missouri, and her parents, Benjamin and Dora
(McCoy) Wade. started for Oregon in 1865, making the overland journey with
horses and mules. Her father died while crossing the plains and her mother
continued the journey with the children. She settled below Markham and later
re-married. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Wade were fourteen children, nine of
whom died in the east. Those who came to the Pacific northwest were: Meredith,
who married Mary Jane Hammudy; Lyda; George and Benjamin, both deceased; and
Albert, who lives in Roseburg, Oregon. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas became the parents of
eleven children: Elmer C., who resides in Wheatland, Oregon, and has a wife and
two children: L. Benjamin, who lives nearby and is the father of tour children;
Adeline, who died at the age of six years; Mrs. Annie Ferguson, of Marion
county, who has three children; Mrs. Grace Dart, who is the mother of two
children; Byrd, who became the father of one child and has passed away; Bertha,
the wife of J. Gladstone Vedder, by whom she has four children; G. R., who
operates the homestead; Mrs. Edna Lawton, of Corvallis, Oregon, who has one
child; Mrs. Ethel Brosig, of Marion county, who has a family of six children;
and one who died in infancy.

     A strong advocate of the cause of education, Mr. Thomas was a school
director for nineteen years and during the early days performed his share of
donation road work. Animated by a strong sense of duty and honor, he has never
shirked a responsibility nor betrayed a trust. His life has been well spent and
the years have strengthened his position in public esteem.

     
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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in June 2016 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.